Washington State University Athletics
Ten Cougars Named to 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society
April 22, 2026 | Football
IRVING, Texas (April 22, 2026) – Washington State University had ten football student-athletes named to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, it was announced recently.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
Baloun, a redshirt senior from Redfield, S.D., was a transfer from South Dakota State in his first year at WSU where he posted a 3.92 GPA while working towards his master's in strategic communication.
Dieu, a fifth-year senior from Queen Creek, Ariz., was a team captain in 2025 and carried a 3.23 GPA will working towards his master's in mechanical engineering.
Durrance, a redshirt-senior from Lutz, Fla., received his degree in general studies and boasted a 3.83 GPA after playing in all 13 games last season, 11 as a starter.
Eckhaus, a redshirt-senior from Los Angeles, Calif., was working on his master's in strategic communication and carried a 3.75 GPA, while leading WSU to a victory over Utah State in the 2025 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Francl, from Grand Island, Neb. who transferred from South Dakota State, was a business major with a 3.21 GPA who started all 13 games with 83 tackles.
Harris, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a general studies major who carried a 3.84 GPA. He appeared in all 13 games, averaging 40.7 yards per punt.
Large, a redshirt-senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., started all 13 games in 2025 while serving as a team captain. He is a general studies major with a 3.37 GPA.
Neal, a graduate student from Seattle, Wash., is working towards his master's in business administration with a 4.00 GPA. He appeared in all 13 games, catching 13 passes with one touchdown.
Peleti, a senior from Adelanto, Calif., played in all 13 games in 2025, with 11 starts. He is a general studies major with a 3.27 GPA.
Smithson, from Bellingham, Wash., spent all four seasons in a Cougar uniform, appearing in 11 games last season. He graduated with a fine arts degree and a 3.70 GPA as a President's Honor Roll honoree.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
- A senior player, who will graduate this spring/summer, and just completed his final year of playing eligibility in 2024; or
- A graduated player, who has been out of high school at least (3) years.
- Attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale); and
- Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2022 season.
Baloun, a redshirt senior from Redfield, S.D., was a transfer from South Dakota State in his first year at WSU where he posted a 3.92 GPA while working towards his master's in strategic communication.
Dieu, a fifth-year senior from Queen Creek, Ariz., was a team captain in 2025 and carried a 3.23 GPA will working towards his master's in mechanical engineering.
Durrance, a redshirt-senior from Lutz, Fla., received his degree in general studies and boasted a 3.83 GPA after playing in all 13 games last season, 11 as a starter.
Eckhaus, a redshirt-senior from Los Angeles, Calif., was working on his master's in strategic communication and carried a 3.75 GPA, while leading WSU to a victory over Utah State in the 2025 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Francl, from Grand Island, Neb. who transferred from South Dakota State, was a business major with a 3.21 GPA who started all 13 games with 83 tackles.
Harris, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a general studies major who carried a 3.84 GPA. He appeared in all 13 games, averaging 40.7 yards per punt.
Large, a redshirt-senior from Sioux Falls, S.D., started all 13 games in 2025 while serving as a team captain. He is a general studies major with a 3.37 GPA.
Neal, a graduate student from Seattle, Wash., is working towards his master's in business administration with a 4.00 GPA. He appeared in all 13 games, catching 13 passes with one touchdown.
Peleti, a senior from Adelanto, Calif., played in all 13 games in 2025, with 11 starts. He is a general studies major with a 3.27 GPA.
Smithson, from Bellingham, Wash., spent all four seasons in a Cougar uniform, appearing in 11 games last season. He graduated with a fine arts degree and a 3.70 GPA as a President's Honor Roll honoree.
Players Mentioned
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